Monday, February 14, 2011

The Fishing Valentine: A Photographic History (Part II)

As we stated last year in our Ode to the Fishing Valentine , Valentine's Day started as a Victorian British tradition but began to take off in America around the end of the nineteenth century.

During the early part of the last century, the tradition of bringing Valentines to school to give to classmates began. Most of us fondly remember toting a brown paper bag full of Valentines to distribute in class.

One of the traditional themes of the Valentine's Day card was fishing. Based on original Victorian designs which often showed Cupid fishing for hearts, by the 1920s it had morphed into one of the most common motifs. What follows are 12 representative valentines from the 1890s to the 1970s.

Believe it or not, Fishing-themed Valentines are quite collectable. I was able to purchase a number of these for $2-$5 each, but some of them -- especially those showing actual tackle like a rod, reel, or lure -- can bring twice as much. And of course, the older ones and the colorful ones tend to be more valuable, as long as they are in good shape.

Go ahead and print out a fishing-themed Valentine to share with your sweetheart! They will thank you for it!

Of course, if you really want a Fishing Valentine, you could do worse that a classic 1970s Valentine fly reel!

About Me

My name is Dr. Todd Larson, and I am a college history professor who writes on the history of fishing in America. I started this blog to help people better understand their outdoor heritage. I am originally from Duluth, Minnesota and live in Southwestern Ohio with my wife, daughter, three fish, two cats, and a dog.